as in caught
to move fast enough to get even with
she had to hurry to overtake her friends, who had forgotten their umbrellas the thunderstorm overtook them suddenly
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Recent Examples of overtaken
In fact, the latest report shows Food Lion has nearly overtaken Harris Teeter for market share.
—
Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The line has been so seismic for DC that the company has overtaken market share over longtime rival Marvel for the first time this century.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Those who believe college sports is losing its heart — being overtaken by money and negotiations and boardrooms — are not all wrong; this is not the same game your father, or even your older sister, grew up watching.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported on the cheating epidemic that has overtaken schools and universities as students outsource their assignments to a chat bot.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Long shot Wayne’s Law led early, only to be overtaken in the final turn by 6-5 favorite Nearly, who was passed in mid-stretch by The Puma, who narrowly succumbed to Commandment at the wire.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, nearly eight months after her sister's capture, headlines were overtaken by news of the 250 hostages.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Alphabet, too, was left for dead by the Street on fears that management wasn't executing and the company's AI strategy wasn't panning out to the point the were being overtaken by others.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
While Connor McDavid has continued to deliver, his NHL scoring lead was overtaken by Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov in a head-to-head meeting on Saturday in which Kucherov poured in four points.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
The line has been so seismic for DC that the company has overtaken market share over longtime rival Marvel for the first time this century.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 3 Apr. 2026
Those who believe college sports is losing its heart — being overtaken by money and negotiations and boardrooms — are not all wrong; this is not the same game your father, or even your older sister, grew up watching.
—ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported on the cheating epidemic that has overtaken schools and universities as students outsource their assignments to a chat bot.
—Peter Smagorinsky, AJC.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Long shot Wayne’s Law led early, only to be overtaken in the final turn by 6-5 favorite Nearly, who was passed in mid-stretch by The Puma, who narrowly succumbed to Commandment at the wire.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
Suddenly, nearly eight months after her sister's capture, headlines were overtaken by news of the 250 hostages.
—Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Alphabet, too, was left for dead by the Street on fears that management wasn't executing and the company's AI strategy wasn't panning out to the point the were being overtaken by others.
—Zev Fima, CNBC, 23 Mar. 2026
While Connor McDavid has continued to deliver, his NHL scoring lead was overtaken by Tampa’s Nikita Kucherov in a head-to-head meeting on Saturday in which Kucherov poured in four points.
—Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overtaken
Verb
-
Secure loose outdoor items and adjust plans as necessary so you're not caught outside.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Heavily hit, the Dannebroge caught fire and then exploded.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Isaiah Evans slipped trying to curl to the rim and Solo Ball scooped up the ball, racing toward the basket, chased by the likely player of the year, Cam Boozer.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Without hesitation, Gunner flew down the stairs to the yard and chased after the bunny.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Overtaken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overtaken. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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